About

Remain with Us, Lord

How does the Mass strengthen me to accept the challenges and give thanks for the gifts that God places in my life?

How do I transmit to others the joy of my personal encounter with Jesus Christ in the Mass?

Remain with Us, Lord is an inspirational collection of personal stories and theological reflections on the importance of the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass in our spiritual lives as Christians and the peace and happiness we draw from it to live our lives close to Jesus Christ and to bring him to others.

In Remain with Us, Lord, Father Robert Barron, renowned theologian and author, explains:

The Holy Mass “…is not an extraneous part of the spiritual life. It’s the heart of it. […] The Mass is remaining with Jesus, listening to him, responding to him, receiving this great meal which God has always wanted to give to us and then speaking back our thanksgiving for it. That’s the Mass and that’s why we live on the Mass. We require the Mass.”

Filmed in the United States and Ireland, the testimonies and reflections brought together in this special video will touch hearts and encourage reflection on the importance and meaning of the Mass in our own lives.

Purchase

Purchase

At each celebration of the Mass, you experience a real and transforming encounter with Jesus Christ, the Son of God in your life. There is a moment when every Mass ever attended seems as one, from the beginning of its institution and from everywhere around the world, and there is a continuity—a direct experienced connection. The words, the gestures, and the music blend into a passionate reality of God’s love for us.

The Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life where people celebrate their joys, share their grief, vividly remember past hopes, and pray for the present and future.

The Mass is the means to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. The Mass transforms us into new beings that can transform the world into a place where we can live better, a place where peace and joy reign through the hope of the Resurrection.

In Remain with Us, Lord, we hear from Catholic theologians who explain the doctrinal meaning of the Mass, and from over twenty priests, individuals, and families who attend Mass and answer the central question of what it means to them and how it affects their ordinary and spiritual lives:

A young married couple shares how attending Mass together on their first date became the center of their relationship and set them on the path to marriage and family.

A father and daughter share how they find the strength to accept and deal with personal and family challenges caused by an aneurism their wife and mother recently suffered.

A successful business owner loses everything during the recent recession but is undaunted as he starts again and perseveres nourished by his love for his family, his faith, and love for Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Screenshot from Remain With Us, Lord

The title Remain with Us, Lord recalls the Biblical scene of the disciples who on the evening of the Resurrection encountered Jesus as they walked along the road leading to the town of Emmaus (Lk 24: 13-35).

“Weighed down with sadness, they never imagined that this stranger was none other than their Master, risen from the dead. Yet they felt their hearts burning within them as he spoke to them and ‘explained’ the Scriptures. The light of the Word unlocked the hardness of their hearts and ‘opened their eyes’. Amid the shadows of the passing day and the darkness that clouded their spirit, the Wayfarer brought a ray of light which rekindled their hope and led their hearts to yearn for the fullness of light. ‘Stay with us’, they pleaded. And he agreed. Soon afterwards, Jesus' face would disappear, yet the Master would ‘stay’ with them, hidden in the ‘breaking of the bread’ which had opened their eyes to recognize him (Pope John Paul II; Apostolic Letter Mane Nobiscum Domine, no.1).”

Remain with Us, Lord has a running time of 35 minutes and is available with English and Spanish language subtitles.

Production

Remain with Us, Lord was produced by The Cresta Group for Midwest Theological Forum.

Midwest Theological Forum is a not-for-profit corporation that publishes books and organizes seminars for Catholic bishops, priests, and laity.

The Cresta Group is a Chicago-based, award-winning production company that specializes in the production of message-driven videos and documentaries for non-profits and corporations worldwide.

Locations

Remain with Us, Lord was filmed in the United States and Ireland.

In 2012, during filming, Ireland was in the midst of hosting the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. “A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, to help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist (Source: http://www.iec2012.ie).”

Very Rev. Robert Barron

Rev. Justin Gillespie

Most Rev. Jose Gomez

Margaret Sznajder

Jae Kim

Gavin Dixon

Interviewees

We are very grateful for the participation of all the priests and families who shared their passion for the Holy Eucharist and their personal stories with us to help make possible Remain with Us, Lord including:

Most Rev. Charles J. Brown
Most Rev. James D. Conley
Most Rev. Jose H. Gomez
Very Rev. Robert Barron
Very Rev. Emilio Jimenez

Press/Media

For more information or to schedule an interview contact: info@mwtf.org

Guides & Extras

Guides & Extras

Remain with Us, Lord is released through Midwest Theological Forum. With the purchase of the DVD or digital version, the video may be shown free of charge at any public or private gathering (a license or permission is not required).

Consider hosting a screening of Remain with Us, Lord –

The heartfelt reflections and testimonies featured in Remain with Us, Lord aim to inspire a renewed love and devotion to the Holy Mass and the Eucharist in the Church today. Hosting a screening of the video opens up the possibilities for reflection and discussion on:

Why the Eucharist is the true and only nourishment that can satisfy our deepest longings.

How the Eucharist can direct our understanding of love and freedom.

The importance of Sunday Mass in our daily lives and family lives.

How to prepare for Mass and how to get the most from it.

How the Mass and the Eucharist are necessary to bring Christ to others and into the world.

The 35 minute video is ideal for teenagers, young adults, and adults, and is best viewed in a parish, conference, classroom, or small group setting.

Take advantage of our resources below for tips and help on hosting a screening today.

Screenshot from Remain With Us, Lord

Downloads

For additional assistance and questions about hosting a screening contact us at info@mwtf.org

“Jesus has remained within the Eucharist for love... of you. —He remained, knowing how men would receive him... and how you would receive him. —He has remained so that you could eat him, so that you could visit him and tell him about your things; and so that you could talk to him as you pray beside the tabernacle, and as you receive the Sacrament; and so that you could fall in love more and more each day, and make other souls, many souls, follow the same path (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, 887).”

Reviews

Reviews

“Remain with Us, Lord is a beautiful and moving catechesis on the Mass. Going through the Holy Sacrifice in detail, we learn about each of the different parts of the Mass and what they mean. The programme shows how the Mass connects to the real lives of people, whether it is falling in love, getting married and forming a family, accepting the suffering and the loss of loved ones, or offering everyday humdrum work through it. At the heart of the life of each Catholic is the Holy Mass: something that theologians can explain in depth but that, at the same time, simple children -we are shown- can also understand. This programme also shows how we are all united in the Mass, independently of our race, colour or language. Remain with Us, Lord should be required material for all schools and parishes when teaching about the Mass.”

– JACK VALERO
Founder and Coordinator
Catholic Voices

“Something I particularly liked was that the video tackles the problem of human suffering head on. The faith isn’t just about feeling warm and happy, but about receiving God’s life even in the midst of our worst difficulties. The personal stories — some joyful, some heartbreaking — add a layer of discipleship to what would otherwise be merely very good catechesis.”

– JENNIFER FITZ
Author and Blogger
Amazing Catechists.Com

“This video will no doubt assist many in understanding the Mass so that each may enter more fully into the mystery of God's divine love.”

“As each part of the Mass is discussed, you’ll find yourself gaining a greater appreciation and understanding for this tremendous gift. Perfect for new and returning Catholics, teachers or students of RCIA and small faith sharing groups, this video presentation will explain the Mass in an entertaining and memorable way.”

– Gary Zimak
Author and Radio Host
Following the Truth.Com

Reviews

Reviews

“Remain with Us, Lord is a beautiful and moving catechesis on the Mass. Going through the Holy Sacrifice in detail, we learn about each of the different parts of the Mass and what they mean. The programme shows how the Mass connects to the real lives of people, whether it is falling in love, getting married and forming a family, accepting the suffering and the loss of loved ones, or offering everyday humdrum work through it. At the heart of the life of each Catholic is the Holy Mass: something that theologians can explain in depth but that, at the same time, simple children -we are shown- can also understand. This programme also shows how we are all united in the Mass, independently of our race, colour or language. Remain with Us, Lord should be required material for all schools and parishes when teaching about the Mass.”

– JACK VALERO
Founder and Coordinator
Catholic Voices

“Something I particularly liked was that the video tackles the problem of human suffering head on. The faith isn’t just about feeling warm and happy, but about receiving God’s life even in the midst of our worst difficulties. The personal stories — some joyful, some heartbreaking — add a layer of discipleship to what would otherwise be merely very good catechesis.”

– JENNIFER FITZ
Author and Blogger
Amazing Catechists.Com

“This video will no doubt assist many in understanding the Mass so that each may enter more fully into the mystery of God's divine love.”

“As each part of the Mass is discussed, you’ll find yourself gaining a greater appreciation and understanding for this tremendous gift. Perfect for new and returning Catholics, teachers or students of RCIA and small faith sharing groups, this video presentation will explain the Mass in an entertaining and memorable way.”